Who Needs Day Care? A Look at Day Care in the 80s for Massachusetts

Day care has become a way of life for parents who are involved daily in the work force outside of the home. As a result, many family life styles have been altered. According to the Federal Education Annual Report The Condition of Education, the percentage of children in preschool programs has doubled since 1968, indicating the increased involvement of mothers of preschool children who are working outside of the home. The majority of these mothers are single parents. Indications are that many more mothers in the work force would seek child care if it were less expensive. Following housing, food and taxes, day care is considered the fourth largest expense for parents